Kratie

Kratie is one of Cambodia's eastern provinces with less population, who make their lives on the riverbanks of the Mekong. Beyond the riverbanks it is a remote place with almost no population and thick-forested areas to calm down. The provincial capital is also called Kratie and lies also on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, which emboss the province from the North to the South.

The stretch of the river around Kratie town is home to a group of rare sweet water Irrawaddy dolphins. Therefore the dolphins are the main tourist attraction of the province and the town. The river also has hundreds of green island, and circling water, which are also attracting some tourists. Kratie town is sleepy but picturesque with sandbars and big islands out front and bends in the river. Unlike in many towns around Cambodia, the war years were fairly kind to the French architecture and the roads, at least in the town itself.

There are some nice-looking homes of French and Khmer style scattered about, adding to the pleasant feel of the place. You'll also find a bustling market which is a great place to watch frogs being skinned (and escaping first through the holes in the nets), sample some delicious foods (such as freshly grilled corn cakes) and generally take in rural Cambodian life. The rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins make their home in the Mekong River, just north of Kratie. With only around 120 remaining, they are surely worth a visit.

Whether you are just on a trip seeing the river towns along the Mekong or taking a full circuit trip around the east and northeast, Kratie is a nice place to spend a night or two. The river scene of Kratie has a beautiful river boulevard with dozens of snack and drink stands in the late afternoon and evening, making this a nice spot to chill out and watch the people parading by. There are also a few big concrete decks along the river scene. The river road is a great place for a stroll or jog. Enjoy the dramatic sunsets over the Mekong.

Location Kratie province is 11,094 square kilometres big, which is categorized into several areas such as 83% forest, agricultural land 8% and red land 0.5% in Snoul district. It's located in the East of the country and is bordering to the North with Stueng Treng, to the East with Mondulkiri, to the West with Kampong Thom and to the South with Kampong Cham.

The province consists mainly of thick forested area, where you still can see the 1970-75 bombings due to big craters in the countryside, some filled with water. You also may find the typical plain wet area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations, even if it's just a small percentage of agriculturally used land concerning the rest of Cambodia. The province features the biggest river of the country (approx. 140km of it), the mighty Mekong with its small rapids and critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.

Climate

Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However, those plans to travel extensively by road should be avoided the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April.

General information about the provincial climate:

Cool season: November- March (18-26c)

Hot season: March- May (27c -35c)

Rainy season: May - October (26-34c, with humidity up to 90%.)

Population The current population of Kratie is approximately 290,000 and the population density is 26 people per sq.km. Roughly 70% of the people live along the river, whereas 30% live in the mountainous area. There are seven types of tribes in Kratie: the Phnorng, the Kouy, the Mil, the Khonh, the Steang, and the Thamoun.

Local Tours

Dolphin :The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie is a spectacular wildlife and nature reserve of Kratie. The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie is a favorite haven for the nature lovers and the wildlife conservationists. The Dolphin Habitat in Kratie is situated at Kampee Village in the Sambok Commune. The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie is only 15 kilometers away from the provincial town of Kratie.

Besides being a wonderful tourist hub the Dolphin Habitat, Kratie also plays a significant role in the conservation of dolphins. The amazing spectacle of the playful dolphins splashing in water is indeed a feast for the eyes. The Kratie Dolphin Habitat is considered one of the notable tourist attractions in Kratie. The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie has attained extreme popularity with the kids. The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie is also one of the preferred destinations of the foreign visitors. The Dolphin Habitat, Kratie is one of the must see places in Kratie.

Chruoy Rey : The Chruoy Rey in Kratie is a famous historical site of Kratie. The Chruoy Rey in Kratie is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the tinsel town of Kratie. The popular tourist landmark of the Chruoy Rey in Kratie is entirely steeped in history. Visitors can find a few famous buildings at the splendid historical spot of Chruoy Rey in Kratie. The Chruoy Rey in Kratie is also a favorite site for the historians.

The Chruoy Rey in Kratie is situated at the Kantring Village in the Kaoch Trong Commune. The elegant structures lodged inside the premises of the Chruoy Rey in Kratie occupy an important place in the history of Kratie. The Chruoy Rey, Kratie has become one of the popular tourist attractions in Kratie. The Kratie Chruoy Rey welcomes hordes of local as well as international visitors throughout the year. travel.mapsofworld.com offers complete information on Chruoy Rey in Kratie.

Koh Pdao :Koh Pdao is an island located in Kratie Province in the Northeast of Cambodia.Koh Pdao is well known for its still existing fresh water dolphins living in the Mekong River. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Mekong River scenery while watching Irrawaddy dolphins swimming next to their boat. In the evenings beautiful sunsets will turn the river into a golden banner. On top of that visitors can help communities through participating in community activities such as digging fish and frog ponds, building chicken and duck pens, farming, etc.

You can reach Kratie Town by bus, minibus or taxi from Phnom Penh along National Road Number 6 and 7. Koh Phdao is approximately 40km away from Kratie Town. It is a 45 minutes drive from Kratie Town by taxi or motor taxi and another 20 to 30 minutes by a slow boat down the Mekong River.

Kampi Resort:

Kampi resort has special features such as:

The resort is closed to the National Road, assured safety and has large parking sites for motocycles and cars

The riverbank is full of sand, and there are many islands assuring the visit of thousands of visitors

The water is clear as mirror, has 0.5-1.30 meter depth and flows with undangerous speed. Kam Py resort has not only the good natural manner, but also been provided the good servises for visitors such as the crossing bridge, floating cottages, soft-drink shops, restaurants, emergency agency, guards and security as well. Nowadays, the provincial tourist office has endeavored to upgrade arranging the resort to be better and more attractive

Phnom Preah :The Phnom Preah, Kratie is a picturesque wildlife and nature reserve alluring local as well as foreign visitors alike. The Phnom Preah, Kratie is located at the Chrauy Thmar Leu Village in the Chhloug Commune. The Phnom Preah, Kratie is among the top tourist attractions in Kratie.

Phnom Preah, Kratie is home to many species of wildlife including a vast range of birds and mammals. The Phnom Preah in Kratie receives hordes of tourists every year. Kratie is one of the popular tourist destinations of Cambodia. The Phnom Preah, Kratie is situated only 30 kilometers away from the spectacular town of Kratie. The Phnom Preah, Kratie is an ideal haven for the nature lovers. The Kratie Phnom Preah is also a popular destination for the wildlife conservationists. The Phnom Preah, Kratie offers a wonderful opportunity to the visitors to be in close proximity to the natural bounties.

Phnom Sopor Kaley The Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie is one of the top tourist attractions in Kratie. The Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie is a huge draw for the international travelers. The Phnom Sopor Kaley in Kratie is a renowned historical site of Cambodia housing many famous buildings. The historical buildings lodged inside the premises of the Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie are fully steeped in history.

This makes the Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie a favorite haunt for the scholars and the students of history. The Chrauy Banteay Village falls in the Chrau Ampil Commune of the Prey Prasap District. It takes only one hour to reach the Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie as this important historical site of Cambodia is situated only 30 kilometers away from the provincial town of Kratie. The idyllic location of the Phnom Sopor Kaley, Kratie at the foothills of the Sopor Kaley Mountain gives it an added advantage over the other tourist attractions in Kratie.

100 Column Pagoda The 100-Column Pagoda is located at Sam Bor District in 36-kilometer distance, North of the provincial town by the National Road No 7. The special features of Sar Sar-100 pagoda are: The 100-column pagoda was built on the place where the Royal Palace temple of Sam Phu Borak Capital of the Chen La time located. At the area, there are four-Buddist temples facing to different directions: 1- Vihear Lao faces to the West 2- Vihear Sar Sar-100 faces to the North 3- Vihear Kork Keut faces to the East 4- Vihear Kork faces to the South (this Buddhist temple has only base and mark remain).

During the Khmer New Year, the local people who live near the former sam Phu Bo Rak Capital usually celebrate the four-day festival by starting at Vihear Sar Sar-100 first, then Vihear Kork and Vihear Lao lastly. Background of Vihear Sar Sar-100: Was built in 1806 and the size is 30 Meters x 30 Meters. In the former time, at the 100th column, was thatched by Preah Ang Chan Reachea II for dedicating to the power of Vihear sar sar-100 to maintain the soul of Preah Neang Varakak, his daughter who was swallowed by the crocodile, Nen Thun. Vihear Sar Sar-100 is different to other temples because it faces to the North.

Champey Waterfalls Waterfall Of Cham Pey is the natural resort locating at 35-kilometer distance from the provincial town along the road No 68. The resort consists of waterfall at the mountain valley, big rock having 500-square meter size, mountain full of trees and a lot of orchids and other colorfull varied flowers. At 500-meter distance from the waterfall, there is another natural and cultural resort, which has been arranged and organized by monks who make their meditation there. This resort named Rut Cham Pey having many varied statues depicting the process of human life-born and died and other religion and animal figures.

In addition, there are many other natural and historical resorts, which have been putting in the projects for development by the Provincial Tourist Office such as: - The area of Tonle Sar - The area of Ang Ou Ang Krang - The area of Pra Sat Seung - The area of Ang Tropeang Baray - The area of Pra Sat Pursat - The area of Cham Kar Kuy - The area of Beung Snour - The area of Tum Nup Thmey - The area of Tuol Kruos (Killing field and prison of Khmer Rouge).